Z
illow has removed climate‑risk scores from every home listing and now directs visitors to its data partner First Street’s website for that information. The change, announced after a New York Times article that highlighted complaints from California agents and CRMLS CEO Art Carter, was justified by Zillow as a compliance move with “varying MLS rules,” though the specific rules remain unspecified. A Zillow spokesperson said, “This update ensures consumers continue to have access to important information to help them consider factors such as insurance, repair costs and long‑term homeownership planning, and reflects our long‑standing commitment to empowering consumers with transparent information.” The update applies nationwide, not just to properties in California or under CRMLS.
Other portals, such as Redfin, continue to display climate‑risk data directly on listings. Redfin’s chief economist Daryl Fairweather posted on social media that climate scores remain on Redfin listings, linking to the New York Times story. CRMLS, when asked, denied any rule change that would have forced Zillow to alter its presentation, stating, “There was no change in the rules.” The dispute may reflect the broader struggle over control of listing data, echoing a recent conflict between CRMLS and Compass over the MLS’s end‑user licensing agreement. In October, CRMLS and Compass fought over a 10‑page agreement that would allow CRMLS to sell agents’ content, a point that Compass CEO Robert Reffkin argued forced over 100,000 agents to accept terms that gave CRMLS the right to monetize their contributions.
Meanwhile, home‑insurance premiums are climbing sharply. John Rogers, Cotality’s chief data officer, noted a 14 % annual increase in 2023 and 2024, with a projected 10 % rise in 2025 and 8 % in 2026–27. California agents report that over a quarter face buyers who cannot secure coverage, and the percentage of sales lost to insurance issues grew from 14 % in 2023 to 16 % in 2025, according to the California Association of Realtors’ State of the Market report. This surge in costs is eroding home values and complicating transactions, especially in California where buyers are increasingly unable to obtain coverage.
Zillow’s move to outsource climate data to First Street was framed as a way to keep consumers “empowered with transparent information.” Yet the lack of clarity about MLS requirements and the ongoing debate over data ownership leave many questions unanswered. The removal of climate risk scores from Zillow’s listings, while other sites keep them, underscores the tension between providing comprehensive property information and navigating regulatory constraints.
In short, Zillow’s nationwide removal of climate data, its redirection to a partner site, and the ambiguous MLS backdrop coincide with a period of escalating insurance costs that are already affecting California home sales. The industry remains divided over how best to present climate risk while respecting MLS rules and protecting consumer interests.
